new to forum and snakes. need some help please

[jules]

Hi we have recently acquired a red sided garter snake who is 2 and a half foot long. we have had him for 3 and half weeks and he wont eat anything. the pinkies remain untouched however the other day his eyes changed colour and he looked pearly underneath. i presumed this was the beginning of a shed but his eyes have gone back to normal eventhough his skin is the same. does this happen? i know he will take time to settle in and if ready to shed he wont eat but how long does it take to shed? also how long can he go without food as im really worried. my husband thinks im going mad as a i talk constantly to him. lol

[adamanteus]

Hi Julie and welcome to the forum.:)
No need to worry just yet about your new snake not eating. They can sometimes take a while to settle in, and as you say sloughing can put them off feeding. If his eyes have cleared he should come out of that old skin very soon.

Basic information on Garter care can be found here;
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet

Any specific questions, feel free to ask, we have a very knowledgable and helpful membership here.

[jules]

hi and thanks for that it defin etly reassures me. i guess i panic a bit as it is all new to me but he is so lovely.:)

[adamanteus]

Panic over now, we're all here to help you! Some photos would be nice, if you can manage it.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/site-feedback-suggestions-questions/1008-guide-posting-pictures.html

[jules]

will do. ive already took some but still trying to get used to this laptop. im not really into technology lol

[adamanteus]

Haha! Once you've posted pics a couple of times it becomes pretty easy.

On the subject of feeding your new snake...... Have you tried other foods or just pinkies? Fish is a good food (and should be part of the diet anyway), and often they will take it more willingly than pinkies at first. Be sure to use 'safe' fish such as trout or salmon, Goldfish are not good and should be avoided.
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Thiamin,#THIAMIN.2C_THIAMINASE.2C_ .26_GOLDFISH

Sometimes, if your snake turns out to be a problem feeder, earthworms can get them started. I'm sure once he's out of that old skin, he'll take trout strips straight off!

[Sid]

Welcome to the forum, Julie. Your snake should shed in a few more days and have it's appetite back.

[jules]

ive only tried pinkies because thats what he is used to feeding on and they told me not to try anything else.do you have get fish from certain place or anywhere?

[zooplan]

welcome to the forum Julie,
I fed smelts that are caught anywhere in Europe most of them come from baltic states.

[Sputnik]

Hi, Jules! Thanks for joining us. :)


Sorry, Udo, but what are "smelts"?

[anji1971]

Hello and welcome!!
Julie, you can also try nightcrawlers, and my garter just loves salmon strips. Once he's shed that old skin, he may be a little more interested in food. And he may just need a little extra time to settle in -- some take longer than others.:)

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, Jules. :)

[Snaky]

Welcome to the forum and have fun here!:)

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

i feed salmon fillets cut up into strips

ive only tried pinkies because thats what he is used to feeding on and they told me not to try anything else.do you have get fish from certain place or anywhere?

[Lori P]

Welcome Julie, hope you enjoy it here. Hopefully your guy is still just settling in, and with him getting ready to shed he may not have an appetite. Bet he'll nail those pinkies with gusto once he's shed and more comfortable. Keep us posted!! :-)

[enigma200316]

hi and welcome to the forum Julie, can't wait for pics.......:D

[jules]

:Dwell, thanks to everyone for their advice. he shed his skin last night and it was amazing. im going to leave him a few days then try to feed him again. i did upload some pics but cant seem to find them!! im not the hottest with technology but ill continue till i get it. could be a while lol

[jules]

uploaded pics yet again and its says they arent there.:confused: tried following the instructions but cant find where they are??????

[adamanteus]

It may be that you haven't posted enough times yet (text posts, I mean) Our anti-spam software prevents photos being uploaded until a new member is 'established'. One or two more posts and all should be well, Julie!

[adamanteus]

Having said that, after seven posts, it should be working just fine........:confused:

[jules]

ive tried uploading them again and its sucessful but no pics in category. im really puzzled which doesnt take much for me. totally baffled lol

[adamanteus]

ive tried uploading them again and its sucessful but no pics in category. im really puzzled which doesnt take much for me. totally baffled lol


If you like, I can log in as you, and try to upload some randon image into your gallery. Perhaps once there's one pic there, it might become easier? You would need to PM me your password though... Just a thought, your choice.:)

[jules]

thanks james will i need to use the quick reply

[jules]

Hi... It's James (in drag!) Your gallery seems to work fine, Julie!:D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tet.jpg

[adamanteus]

All appears fine, Julie. You can change your password now, if you wish, to maintain your privacy!
Just go through the upload process slowly, step by step.... you'll get it!
Are you choosing 'my photos' (over on the left) before selecting 'upload photos'?

[jules]

im following your instructions. perserverance is what is needed. ill try again. i just hate some technology lol

[drache]

welcome to the forum and congrats on your new slithery friend

if they told you that he takes pinks then he's probably just off food because of the settling in and the shedding
give him a day or so after the shed and he'll probably eat just fine
you might also want to find out how he likes his food presented - does he like it left dead in his cage or does he like it with a bit of pretend movement?

is that him in the pic?
if so he's lovely

[adamanteus]

GALLERY-MY PHOTOS-UPLOAD PHOTOS-BROWSE (choose pic off your PC)-UPLOAD/SUBMIT.

[jules]

sorry aboutthis james. tried and tried and still no joy. cant fathom why????

[jules]

he normally had hais food dead and just teased with it and they said he ate no problem but with the move and shed he must be a bit unsettled. when he shed his skin it was all intact but no eye caps. what do these look like?

[adamanteus]

You should be on the page showing my 'thumbnail' pic of the San Fran Garter, when you upload. Are your photos in jpeg format? Once you've tried the upload, do you get the message "upload successful"?

[adamanteus]

The eye-caps should be little clear domes... part of the shed skin.

[jules]

yes i was on that page. it is beautiful. i chose my pics uploaded and it says sucessful. they are jpg:eek:

[adamanteus]

Weird! I wonder where they are then.

[jules]

i havent seen any eye caps do you think they may be in his viv somewhere as ive checked his eyes and they look ok.

[jules]

im totally baffled. its becoming annoying. im going to take a break for some lunch before i waste away lol and then i will have another go. thanks for all your help

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

if you are a member of photobucket of flicker u can upload it there then send it to us

im totally baffled. its becoming annoying. im going to take a break for some lunch before i waste away lol and then i will have another go. thanks for all your help

[salzar]

gosh what a wonderful looking snake, me want one!!!
welcome and hope that you get it all fixed in the pix dept. would love to see more!!!
bye
michelle

[jules]

sorry that wasnt my snake. wish it was he is beautiful.

[jules]

im not familiar wirh photobucket. ive tried uploading several times with upload sucessful and then no pics. dont know where they have gone. very puzzling. ive took some more pics as well.

[adamanteus]

It's frustrating! I've sent a PM to 'Boots' our system administrator, we'll see if he can help us. If you want to get some pictures up in the meantime, mail them to me and I'll post them in this thread for you.

jasumo@btinternet.com

[adamanteus]

Pics of Julies snake, Lupi.:)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//539/medium/Lupi_1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//539/medium/Lupi_2.jpg

[anji1971]

Hi Lupi!!
What a pretty snake, glad to see the pics getting up, even with a bit of intervention!!;)

[Lori P]

Aw, she's really cute!!!! Good to meet you, Lupi!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Hi lupi :D

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Julie :)

[jules]

actually not sure if he or she but told probably male. since hes shed hes as lively as ever.

[mycolorfulheart]

Lupi is a cutie! He's really big too, for a garter. I hope my girl grows that big someday.

Welcome to the forum!

[drache]

hi there, Lupi
nice to meet you at last